Sunderland sign Jones from West Brom

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has launched his summer rebuilding programme with the signing of West Bromwich Albion defender Billy Jones.

Jones, 27, is out of contract at The Hawthorns this summer and will formally complete his move to the Stadium of Light on July 1 upon signing a four-year deal.

"I'm really happy to be here and I'm looking forward to getting back for preseason and kicking on," Jones told the club's official website. "I've played at the Stadium of Light a number of times, so I know what it's about and what great backing the club has.

"I've come to the training ground today and it's amazing. I knew I was signing for a massive club with everything in place to kick on up the league and carry on moving forward."

Shrewsbury-born Jones began his career at Crewe, and joined the Baggies, for whom he made more than 70 senior appearances, from Preston in July 2011.

The fact that Poyet's first close-season acquisition working alongside new director of football Lee Congerton is a British player with Premier League experience is significant with the Black Cats changing direction after a dismal summer 12 months ago.

Of the 14 signings made by then director of football Roberto De Fanti for manager Paolo Di Canio, 13 were from overseas, many of them with little or no background in English football, and a season of struggles duly followed.